TRIAC 1: Brooks

The narrowed-down options that dating apps provide may actually be hindering our chance for romantic relationships. The difference between meeting people online and meeting people in real life is the diversity; in real life you can meet someone who is the complete opposite of you and your interests, while on dating apps you’re matched based on your similarities. As Arthur Brooks explains, “Other research suggests that romantic love can blossom when people explore their differences–something I fear dating apps often discourage.” Even though the algorithms of dating apps work the way they’re meant to, by pairing you with people similar to you, this may not be the best course of action. Meeting someone who is different from you can open up the door for a lot of interesting conversations, and is a way to broaden your horizons. Dating apps provide us with matches similar to ourselves, but that may not be what we truly need. 

TRIAC 2: Brooks

Our need for convenience may be sabotaging our relationships. In the age of online shopping, getting the things we want and need has never been easier. This can also apply to finding relationships: dating apps have lessened the burden of trying to find a romantic partner. However, as Omri Gillath argues, “The fact that it’s easy and accessible doesn’t mean that it’s what people need.” We have become much more passive in our daily lives since the boom of social media and online dating because the convenience of not having to go out and look for someone eliminates the burden of needing to go out and speak to new people in order to find a relationship. This limits not only the kinds of relationships we have, but also diminishes our social skills. Technology giving us everything we need at the tap of a screen could be harming our ability to form relationships. 

TRIAC 3: Tiffany

Internet “self-help” rhetoric is actually hurting not only yourself, but also the relationships you have with others. Friendships require proper communication with each other, especially when conflicts arise. In this age of social media, however, influencers have been pushing the need to cut “toxic” people out of your life without explanation. People with no authority to do so are spreading a message of “self-care” throughout the internet, and as Kaitlyn Tiffany states, “The message–implied if not always stated outright–is that other people are simply not my problem.” This idea of taking care of yourself by not caring about others is so detrimental to our relationships and friendships with others. Any relationship requires talking out your issues, not cutting someone off the minute they do something to upset you. The selfishness of internet “self-care” is ruining our friendships and relationships.

TRIAC 4: Tiffany

The things you see and hear on the internet should never be taken as absolute fact. One problem of our generation is that we often hear about something through social media and automatically believe that it is true. Also, things are often taken at face-value, without thinking deeper into the meaning of what people are saying. One example of this is the tweet that Lindy Ford posted offering advice to those anxious about people being upset with them with no real evidence. People online took the tweet the wrong way thinking that she was encouraging people to not communicate during conflict, even though as Tiffany remarks, “That wasn’t what she meant. It’s only what she wrote.” When we see broad or vague statements on the internet addressed to “whoever needs to hear this” or so on, usually the poster is referring to a very specific and personal instance that this advice would work for. Just because you may think the advice could apply to a situation you’re in, it should not be taken as an absolute truth. Giving and taking advice on the internet isn’t always harmful, but the conclusions you draw about your situation should be done on your own.